Life

Exercising Once Again

Karen

I ordered this top. Cute, right? I received it Friday.

And made the mistake of trying it on.

I love the top, but not necessarily on me.

*sigh*

I should have known. I should have KNOWN this top was not something I should have ordered.

Let me list the flaws for you:

1. It sits too far out on my shoulders which only makes my wide shoulders look wider. (I could easily have been a line backer in my previous life).

2. Though the color is gorgeous, it looks pretty nasty on my pasty white skin. (But might look better once I start tanning again).

3. The bodice is designed to hug your bosom and define your waist. This would be great, if I knew where my waist was.

4. It’s, in essence, an empire-waist top which I personally LOVE, but Kevin personally HATES. He thinks women who wear these types of tops look pregnant.

But still. I like it.

I thought about sending it back right away, but then I got to thinking – it’s a summer-type top. I’ll have lost weight and will have a tan by then. And I think it will look pretty hot with a pair of black slacks, heels and silver accessories.

So … I’m holding off until my arms a bit more toned and have some color in them before I send it back. I mean, I have several brightly-colored t-shirts that I can only wear in the summer and ONLY with a tan, so … this might work providing I meet the above conditions.

I haven’t modeled it for Kevin yet. I’m pretty sure he’s going to hate it even under the best of conditions, but still, I’m holding out hope that he won’t be totally turned off by it.

And I thought the whole black slacks/heels/silver jewelry accessory idea would look good for our semi-formal dinner on the cruise.

That we’re planning on taking.

In July.

After we visit two of Disney World’s theme parks. (For those of you that voted “Disney World and then a cruise” on my poll the other day. *high five* Do you guys know me or what??)

That’s the real reason I bought this top. Well, that and I thought it might look good to wear to work in the summer, too. (Though I’m not so sure about that one, now that I really think about it).

At any rate, I’m going to hang on to the top and see what it looks like in a few months. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll send it back.

And speaking of working out … (I’m smooth, aren’t I?)

I am in another work out spurt.

Actually, Kevin started it. He’s getting a little, erhm, tummy (which I TOTALLY love honey! I think it’s cute and fun to rub!!) but it’s starting to bother him a little bit so he pulled out his Total Gym (Yes, that’s the one that Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley advertise. And what? It’s a cool little machine!) yesterday, and worked out while watching Seinfeld, Season 8 (which I watched with him because I don’t think I’ve seen season 8 – how is that possible?!?) and afterward, put in the Wii EA Sports Active disk and did the easy 20 minute workout.

Which got me worked up to try it myself.

So, I got on the treadmill and walked two miles before hitting the EA Sport workout.

I was fine, until those damn lunges.

OH. MY. POOR. LEGS!

Those suckers were hard. Mainly because the instructor requires that you hold the lunge. After doing two sets of 20 lunges my legs were jello and would barely support me. I got a little annoyed with the program during the lunges. For some reason, the Wii wouldn’t pick up my motions, so I would lunge, but my avatar would not, so I did several more lunges than was necessary simply because the stupid program couldn’t keep up with me. Also? It kept telling me to slow down. That was also frustrating because I thought the program was too slow.

Also? The running around the track sort of hurt me. I started hurting around the area where my colon was reattached, so I ticked off the program by doing a really slow jog instead. I was totally fine until those runs. (And I wasn’t running full speed ahead, it was really only a brisk jog more than anything).

My favorite part was the boxing part. I LOVED the punches and the Wii controllers did an excellent job keeping up with my punches and jabs.

I also enjoyed using the band for arm exercises, too. They were pretty easy, but I can feel I definitely did some damage today by my soreness level.

I had to pause at the very end because by that time, I’m was getting tired and I over did it. (Which I knew I would – I always do when I get back on an exercise program). In fact, I nearly got sick simply because that was more activity my poor body has seen in quite some time.

But again, that’s pretty normal for me. I guess I don’t classify a workout as a WORKOUT until I make myself nauseous.

At any rate, I liked the EA program overall. I’m looking forward to mastering this easy 20 minute workout and moving onto something a bit more challenging.

VideoPlay

What’s in Your Family Emergency Kit?

Karen

In light of what is happening in Egypt right now, I thought this video was pretty timely.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Here is my video response:

Seriously ya’ll, it’s a good idea to be prepared. You NEVER KNOW what you’ll need, or have to do, to protect your family.

Make preparations today.

Do it.

Here are some links you can check out to help you prepare:

Emergency Survival Kit (Again, I don’t want to scare anyone and I’m certainly not one of those people who think the government is all seeing [although …], or wear a tin-foil hat, BUT, again … what if …)

Red Cross Preparedness

Survival Kits

Ready.Gov (WOW, great suggestions!)

Man. After reading through the above site, I have even more to think about! For example, are you prepared in case of:

# Biological Threat
# Blackouts
# Chemical Threat
# Explosions
# Extreme Heat
# Fires
# Floods
# Influenza Pandemic
# Landslide and Debris Flow (Mudslide)
# Nuclear Threat
# Nuclear Threat – Shelter Guide
# Radiation Threat
# Thunderstorms
# Volcanoes
# Wildfires
# Winter Storms and Extreme Cold
# Food Safety In An Emergency

I don’t want to scare anyone, but these things should be taken seriously.

Anyway, think about it; talk it over with your family. Get a plan.

Sunday Stuff

SOC Sunday: Setting a Good Example

Karen

I’m being watched.

Dude, my oldest son, constantly watches me. He tries to act like he’s not, but I can tell he is.

How do I know this?

I’m pretty notorious for never taking a shower right after I get up. I get up, monkey around for a bit (usually on the computer, though Saturdays I spend doing chores) and THEN I’ll take a shower – about mid-morning. (Sometimes later, if we’re being honest).

I complained to Kevin the other day how Dude never takes a shower until 1:00 in the afternoon.

Do you know what Kevin said? “Well, you’re not exactly setting a very good example.”

I was stunned. I was annoyed, at first, but then I realized that he was right. The boy is watching me. I don’t take a shower first thing, why should he?

So today, I got up at 7:30, and was showered and dolled up by 8:30 – before I woke Dude up at 9:00 (the boys need to be woken up so they can get up and wake up in time for Bible study).

Guess what? Dude took a shower and made his bed without me telling him – at 11:00 a.m.! (That’s early for him on a weekend).

And this job thing? Will probably make an impact on Dude, too. I want to get one because I have the time and I’m ready to financially contribute to my family again. But I think it will also be a good thing for Dude, too. He will see I’m working and it will likely motivate him to get a job after he graduates in May.

I always knew that Dude was a momma’s boy, I just didn’t realize HOW MUCH of an impact I have on him until recently.

I appreciate my husband’s honesty, (not always, mind you), and I’m glad he said what he said and brought to my attention that I’m not always setting a very good example for my boys sometimes.

I’m lazy. I will not dispute that. But I’m learning that that laziness has larger consequences and doesn’t just affect me but my children as well.

*ding* Time’s up.

#SOCsunday

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

* Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
* Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spell checking. This is writing in the raw.
* Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
* Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
* Link up your post below.
* Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Abundant Life

Teaching: The Permanence of Salvation

Karen

Every Sunday I provide videos and valuable links to the Truth or Tradition teachings. We’ve been following the Truth or Tradition teachings for many years now and they have truly blessed our family. We have found peace and happiness through our beliefs and we walk confidently for God. My hope, by passing on this information to you, is that what you find here, or on the Truth or Tradition website, will guide you to a better, more blessed and abundant life.

If you would like to read my views on religion and how we got started with the ministry, you can read this.

Let’s get started:

The other day as I was reflecting on the permanence of salvation, I was thinking about things in life that are permanent, and things that aren’t. It occurred to me that if our salvation really is permanent, which I believe the Bible says it is, then thinking about other things in life that are permanent should help me comprehend God’s promise in a bigger way.

We believe that at the very moment a person confesses Jesus as Lord and believes God raised him from the dead, he is “born again” and receives the gift of the holy spirit, which is the guarantee of everlasting life. [1] Our New Birth via the spirit of God is just as irreversible as our first birth was. It cannot be undone. This is why Scripture says that each Christian has Christ’s seal of ownership, which is a deposit, or a guarantee, of what is to come. [2] In other words, our salvation is permanent.

So what in life is permanent? I own some shirts and pants that are said to be “permanent press” but, unfortunately, they seem to wrinkle when I wear them, and sometimes when I don’t take them out of the dryer fast enough! If salvation is like that, it certainly isn’t very permanent. So how about one of those felt tip pens, the ones they call “permanent markers.” They do seem pretty permanent, but I recall times when I’ve used them on outdoor things, and they eventually faded with exposure to the elements. Not so with our salvation, according to God’s Word. [3]

So what in my life is permanent? How about a scar? Surely that is permanent. When I was a little boy, I had my appendix removed, and I was really proud of that four-inch scar. When I first got it, I loved to show off that long purple mark to my siblings and schoolyard friends. I thought of it as some kind of battle trophy that demonstrated my toughness to the other kids. Oops, I just looked, and it appears that after forty-some years it has faded so much that I have trouble even finding it.

There must be something I can think of that really is permanent. I know—my tattoos! How much more permanent than that can you get? I’ve gotten quite a few tattoos in my lifetime, and they are permanent. Wait a minute; no they aren’t, because nowadays people can get tattoos removed with lasers. If marks, scars, and tattoos fade or can be removed, then they are not permanent.

It seems there really isn’t much in life that is permanent. My wife tells me that “permanent” hair dye has to be redone once a month. My sister once got divorced, but then remarried the same man five years later. People get all kinds of sickness, even so-called “terminal” diseases, but many are healed. Many years ago I committed some crimes, was arrested, pled guilty to the felony charges, and served five years of probation. At the time I thought it would mean that I would have a “permanent” criminal record. But even that, because of God’s great mercy and grace, was reversed and dismissed. [4]

There are only two things in life that are permanent: birth and death. A person “taking his last breath” sounds about as permanent as it gets. However, for Christians, that is not the case, for we know that the Lord Jesus will raise us up. Some Christians won’t even die, but will be transformed from mortal to immortal at Christ’s appearing. [5] And then too the Bible says that every person who has ever died will be raised from the grave and be judged, so it again seems that not even our physical death is permanent. God tells us that it is the “second death,” for wicked people, in the Lake of Fire, that is permanent.

The one and only thing that is permanent in our lives is our birth. No baby has ever come from the womb and been able to go back in there again (mothers all over the world rejoice at this scientific fact). It is no wonder God has chosen the language of birth to communicate the truth of what He does for us when we receive salvation. Our salvation, via New Birth, is as irreversible, irrevocable, enduring, lasting, unchangeable, immutable, inalterable, invariable, fixed, and established as our first birth. Our salvation cannot fade, deteriorate, wane, decline, decay, crumble, or be lost. When God says we are born of His spirit, He means it. When it comes to salvation, permanent is permanent.

If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about God’s wonderful message, please visit the Truth or Tradition website. You can also keep track of the ministry through their Facebook page, their YouTube Channel, or follow them on Twitter.

Thanks for reading.

(Comments have been turned off. The information is here to inform and bless you. God granted you the gift of free will – take it or leave it).

More from Write From Karen

Saturday Stuff

The Situation is Worse Than You Think

Karen

The paramedics leaned over the woman, effectively blocking most of her body from the spectators. Their expressions were calm, but their eyes were concerned.

They worked on stabilizing the patient for nearly 90 seconds before they noticed it: a blood stain on her abdomen. It was growing bigger by the minute.

“Mommy! Wake up! Mommy please!” A little girl, not more than six-years old, screamed. Her voice sent shivers up the spectaculars’ spines. A man held her back so she wouldn’t fling herself on the injured woman.

“She’ll be fine,” one paramedic said out loud.

Their eyes met over the body.

It was a lie.

.

.

.

*************************

Write up to 100 words, fact or fiction….

This is a themed writing meme hosted by Jenny Matlock. The goal is to write something that does not exceed 100 words (not including said prompt). The prompt is in italics above.

Funny

Favorite “Zits” of the Week

Karen

My “comical” life with teenage boys …

I especially laughed at this last one. I mentioned I maintain school websites, right? Well, when a dance rolls around, I am asked to post dance guidelines on the high school websites and the guidelines in this comic? Are exactly what’s on those guidelines. It sort of makes you sick that school officials have to specifically prohibit this crass behavior at a social gathering, doesn’t it. I totally blame reality TV.

You can buy a Zits Day-by-Day calendar here.